One is to write a letter, in which you say something like: “I feel like I can’t be a good friend to you like I used to be.”

Syrtash said it’s fine in this instance to put the blame on yourself: “Right now my life is in such a different place and I just don’t feel like I can give the way I used to give to this friendship.” (Consider this the platonic version of “It’s not you, it’s me.”)

If you’ve been arguing, or if you think the friendship is toxic to your health and happiness, you can say: “I don’t think we’re bringing out each other’s best. We’re always fighting. You feel like I’m judging you; I feel like you’re judging me. I wish you the best, but I don’t think this is a healthy friendship for either of us.”

No matter how you choose to end the friendship, Syrtash said the one thing to keep in mind is: “You’re not doing your friend a favour by staying in the relationship out of guilt or pressure. You’re not doing anyone a favour if you don’t want to be there. A friendship needs to be reciprocal.”